Journaling

How to Make a Junk Journal

How to make junk journals

Hello there, creative friends! Today we will learn how to make a Junk Journal from beginning to end! This three-part series is simple to follow and a great way to learn how to make your own journal! This is a free mini-course to get you started with your first journal. It’s ideal for beginners, but even if you’ve been making your own junk journals for a while, you should find plenty of inspiration.

In its most basic form, a junk journal is a handcrafted journal made from an eclectic mix of various papers and ephemera. Pockets, tuck spots, and scraps of this and that are usually clipped to the pages. It’s the ideal place to scribble your thoughts, tuck photos, or fill with whatever makes you happy!

To begin, we will put together the cover. Let’s start, this is how to make junk journals for begginers.

How To Make Junk Journals | How to Make a Junk Journal Supplies for Cover:

Colored Kraft Cardstock (I am using 65lb)

Scissors

Images on Paper (see links at bottom of post)

Striped Fabric

Instructions:

The first step is to cut your cardstock to the appropriate size. I’ll give you my measurements for this journal, but you can make it any size you want.

To make the cover’s base, use a ruler to measure and cut a piece of kraft colored cardboard to 9″ horizontal x 7″ vertical. Tearing the cardstock’s edges instead of cutting with scissors creates a more organic look. Once you’ve cut out your base… To give it a nice crisp edge, fold it in half and crease with the back of your scissors.

Next, we’ll add these two lovely vintage music pages from the Graphics Fairy, as well as the little bird image, to the front cover.

I gave the images a worn-out, crooked look by rubbing some distress ink along the edges of the images and also crinkling the paper’s edges with my fingers. On my printer, I printed these at a size of 5″ x 7″. For our journal, they are the ideal size.

The music pages will then be adhered to the front and back covers, followed by the front collage of the small bird image. The pink flowers look so lovely next to the music sheet. Fabri-tac glue is what I’m using. It sticks incredibly well and dries quickly.

The music pages will then be adhered to the front and back covers, followed by the front collage of the small bird image. How I adore

Now, using adhesive, we will attach a thin fabric strip to the central crease, which will serve as the journal’s spine. This is merely to add some texture and design to the cover; when the diary is closed, it will beautifully cover the spine.

The cover is now finished! It really is very easy to get your notebook started, and it looks so lovely! I didn’t really have a theme in mind for this notebook, but if you wanted to, you could certainly make themed Junk Journals.

The type of papers to include inside must then be considered. Any kind of paper is available for your selection. Some of my favorites include tea- and avocado-dyed papers, sheet music, drawings with the tiny torn pieces still attached, book pages, old envelopes, paper scraps, vintage greeting cards, printed French documents, and really anything else you like. I enjoy combining various hues, paper types, and textures to create a completed piece that has a very lovely weathered appearance.

For the required page sizes, a template will be made. In order for the papers to fit inside the journal cover, I folded a sheet of paper to the inside of the cover, leaving just a tiny space on each edge. This paper should be 8 34″ x 6 34″ in size to fit inside the journal.

I will then begin folding papers, some smaller and some larger. Because it provides for an intriguing look while flipping through your journal if all the papers are not the same size, I like to change the sizes of my interior papers. To create a layered effect when you open your journal, I like to start with a few of the smaller first papers and work my way up to a larger sheet. This old, worn-out paper from the Graphics Fairy image up there was a lovely addition to my papers that I had coloured with tea. Printing was done on both sides.

I keep adding different sheets, some of which I printed and some of which I dyed with avocado or tea. For some extra intrigue, I also included a paper doily that had been coloured with tea. This procedure is known as signature creation.

This page will be the main one. I created a pocket by folding the bottom of the paper up; we’ll bind it together later. I used ten different folded sheets of paper in total, all different sizes and shapes. We will have a 40 page journal as a result.

Images used in How to Make a Junk Journal Tutorial:

Visit One of My Old Junk Journals in a Video Tour:

I’m hoping you’ll follow along with this guide on creating a rubbish journal. We’ll then bind everything together to make our journal! Journal Binding Part 2 is available HERE

Happy Imagining!

More of my artwork is available at Ruby & Pearl, Heather. xo

Message from Karen and Emily For a number of years, Heather Naggy served as one of our educators on the Premium Membership Site. On our Membership site, she has provided dozens of fantastic tutorials via instructional video. If you enjoyed this information, you might want to think about becoming a member of our to gain access to thousands of premade Printables for those journals, along with a ton more Junk Journal tutorial videos and tutorials! High-end website HERE

Junk Journal Pages Ideas
The first thing you need is a blank notebook or journal and some colored pencils. If you have an old one lying around that’s not working for you anymore, it can be used as scrap paper for the next project. I like to use them because they are cheap and easy to find. You could also try using your computer if you don’t want to buy anything new. Just make sure you have enough room on your screen so you can draw without having to scroll back up and down.

Take it with you or create a project when you return by turning your travel journal into a junk journal.

Junk Journal Pages Ideas: Junk Journal Page Ideas To Inspire You

The possibilities are endless. For example, you could use old magazines and newspapers, cut out images and words, stick them onto cardstock and glue them down. Or maybe you’d prefer to start with a blank piece of paper and add text and pictures later.

1. The Beautiful Bellyband Page

You can also add embellishments to the bellyband itself. These include tags, stickers, ribbons, buttons, charms, stamps, etc. But what makes a bellyband really special is the items that you put inside it. This includes notebooks, cards, postcards, photographs, drawings, sketches, quotes, lists, recipes, poems, stories, letters, etc. Anything goes!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and found it useful. Please let me know if you have any questions about it in the comments section below. Thanks!

2. The Practical Pocket Page

Junk journals are great because they allow you to collect and organize your favorite things into one place. They’re especially useful for storing old photos, stamps, postcards, tickets, receipts, letters, etc.

But what about those items you don’t want to keep in your main journal? What about those items you’d rather keep separate from your main collection? Here are three ways to make use of your junk journal’s pages without cluttering up your main journal. 

The tuck spot pages can be helpful if an actual pocket is too restrictive for what you want to include on that page.

3. The Tuck Spot Page

1. Pocket Pages.

These are usually rectangular and contain text. They’re great for holding things such as quotes, photos, videos, etc.

2. Book Pockets.

These are typically square and are found in books. They’re perfect for holding smaller items such as receipts, tickets, coupons, etc.

3. Cardboard Boxes.

These are similar to book pockets, except they’re generally larger and made out of cardboard. They’re ideal for holding larger objects such as magazines, brochures, newspapers, etc.

4. Fabric Pockets.

These are similar to cardboards boxes, except they’re made out of fabric. They’re great for storing things such as pens, pencils, markers, etc.

5. Paper Bags.

These are very similar to fabric pockets, except they’re made of paper. They’re great for keeping things such as notebooks, pads of paper, etc.

4. The Mysterious Hidden Journaling Page

Hidden journaling spots are a great way to add some extra flair to your scrapbook pages. They’re easy to make, too! 

1. Start by creating a journaling spot on your layout. I used a pocket that flipped open to reveal a little note pad.

2. Once you’ve finished writing, fold the paper over and glue it closed.

3. Cut along the edge of the folded paper to separate it into 2 pieces. Then carefully cut off the corner of each piece.

4. Fold each piece in half lengthwise. Open up the folds and press together to form a crease. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the second half of the page.

5. Glue both halves of the page together.

6. Use a pen to draw lines across the glued edges to indicate where the pockets will open and close.

5. The Interactive Flip Up, Flip Down or Flip Out Page

The flip page is one of those ideas that seems simple enough, but it can take some planning to make sure it works well. If you’re looking for inspiration, here are six different ways you could use a flip page to tell a story.

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Tips start junk journals for beginners?

Junk Journals one of those hobbies that seems simple on paper, but it takes some practice to really master. If you’re looking to take up the challenge, here are some tips to help you along the way.

Step 1 : Find a Place to Log All of Start Junk Journals for beginners

The easiest way to keep track of all of your inspiration is to simply create a folder on your web browser. For example, if you use Chrome, you could create a “Junk Journals” folder and put all of your inspiration into one place. Then, every time you see something inspiring, you can add it to your folder.

Step 2 : Get Some Basic Junk Journaling Supplies

If you’ve ever been inspired by someone else’s work, whether it’s a blog post, a video, a photo, etc., you know how hard it is to keep track of those inspirations down the road. When you see something beautiful, you might think “I wish I could do that!” But once you’re done, you realize you have no way to access that information again.

Take it with you or create a project when you return by turning your travel journal into a junk journal.

It’s all the more fun for me to combine tons of different paper scraps and ephemera with my favorite mixed media supplies like acrylic paints, gesso, watercolors and more.

Step 3 : Learn the Basics of Junk Journaling

Do you want to make a standard notebook, or maybe something different? Maybe you want to try out a sketchbook? Or maybe you want to just keep a record of your favorite quotes? Whatever your goal might be, here are the basics you’ll need to know to begin crafting your masterpiece.

Step 4 : Start a Collection of Materials for Future Junk Journals

The best place to start looking for inspiration is online. There are tons of blogs out there that offer free resources for creative people, including scrapbookers, artists, crafters and photographers. Here are some of our favorite sites:

• Scrapbooking Bloggers – This site features blog posts about scrapping, crafting and DIY projects.

• Crafty Chicks – A blog dedicated to craft tutorials and DIY projects.

Step 5 : Start Experimenting

I think one of the most important steps in learning anything is experimentation. When I learned about sewing, it wasn’t like I sat down and read a tutorial and then went home and sewed my first project. Instead, I spent hours looking up tutorials online, trying things out, and figuring out what worked best for me.

The same goes for scrapbooking. If you’re stuck, don’t worry – there’s no shame in asking questions. You might even find someone willing to help you out. And if you’re really struggling, there are tons of YouTube videos and blogs dedicated to helping people learn the craft.

Step 6 : Join a Junk Journal Community

Junk journals are fun and creative ways to keep track of memories and thoughts. They’re easy to make, inexpensive, and most importantly, they’re completely unique. But there’s no reason why you shouldn’t share your creations online. There are tons of communities out there where people share ideas, ask questions, and offer advice. Here are some of my favorites:

• Pinterest – This website allows users to save images from around the internet and organize them into boards. It’s perfect for junk journaling because you can pin photos directly onto your board and easily search through your collection later.

• Instagram – Another great social media platform for sharing your art with others. Like Pinterest, you can create boards and organize your images however you’d like.

• Facebook – The world’s largest social network has become an amazing resource for sharing all kinds of content. Whether you’re posting pictures of your latest creation, organizing events, or simply keeping friends updated on your life, this is the place to be!

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Searching Junk Journals For sale?

I’m sure we’ve all seen those people online who are selling handmade journals. There are even Facebook groups dedicated to swapping journals with others.

While it seems like a great idea to swap journals with someone else, there are many things to consider before jumping into the world of selling your handmade journals.

While many of the items on Etsy are handmade, you’ll also find craft supplies, digital items, and more.

The most important thing to think about is whether or not you’re willing to part with your journals. If you’re one of those people who loves your journals enough to keep them forever, then you might not want to sell them. However, if you’re ready to let go of your journals, here are a few questions to ask yourself before you start listing your journals for sale.

1. Do you enjoy making your journals?

2. Are you comfortable sharing your journals with others?

3. Would you feel comfortable telling potential buyers what you paid for each journal?

4. How much money do you want to earn per month?

5. What types of journals do you want to list?

Junk Journals For Sale: Where to Sell a Junk Journal

There are many options for selling your old journals online and offline. You can sell them on eBay, Etsy, Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, Twitter, and even YouTube.

You can also take advantage of local marketplaces like CraigsList, Facebook Marketplace, and Etsy. These sites allow people to buy and sell locally.

If you want to sell your journals at a craft show, check out the local schedules at your community centers, local churches, or any other event space in your area.

Check out the local listings for upcoming events in nearby towns. If there isn’t one listed, start one yourself!

Use a junk journal as an everyday journal if you need somewhere to keep all the things you think of every day, and for somewhere to record ideas and inspiration.

Junk Journals For Sale: How to Price Your Junk Journal

There are many ways to sell your old journals online. You could try eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, Pinterest, Etsy, Amazon, and even Goodwill. But there are different things about each one that make it worth considering.

Craigslist is free and easy to use. However, it doesn’t allow you to set your price, so you’ll probably end up getting less money than you’d like. And if you’re selling something expensive like a camera, you might find yourself competing against people who want to buy it for cheap.

Facebook Marketplace is similar to Craigslist, but it allows sellers to set their prices. If you don’t mind spending a little extra money, you can list items for sale on both sites.

Ebay is great because it gives buyers the chance to see what you’ve got before buying. They can also pay you through PayPal, which makes it much easier to receive payment. Ebay does charge fees, though, so keep those costs in mind before listing anything.

Junk Journals For Sale: Marketing Your Journals

If you’ve been thinking about selling your junk journals online, you might be wondering how much you should charge for them. There are a lot of factors involved, including the type of journal you use, how many pages you print per book, whether or not you include envelopes, etc.

But one thing you definitely don’t want to forget is the price of your supplies. This includes the cost of your inkjet printer, toner cartridges, paper, ribbons, staples, labels, envelopes, shipping boxes, etc.

You might think that since you’re just printing out blank books, you could cut costs by buying cheap inkjet printers and toner cartridges. However, you’d be wrong.  

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How to make a Junk Journal From Scratch?

Junk journals are great because they’re easy to customize and don’t require much effort. You can use whatever supplies you like, whether it’s scrapbook paper, fabric scraps, ribbon, stickers, charms, buttons, etc., and add them to a pre-made journal.

But there’s no reason why you can’t jazz up your junk journal even further by adding some extra touches. Here are 7 ideas for making your junk journal look more personalized.

Junk Journal: A book which is often made through found and recycled materials to be used as a way to collect and record memories, thoughts, ideas, and inspiration.

1. Use Colorful Paper.

If you’ve ever used a regular notebook, you know how boring it can feel. If you want to spice things up, try using colorful paper. There are tons of options out there, including patterned papers, solid colored papers, and even glittery ones.

2. Add Patterns.

Patterns are another way to give your journal a little personality. They come in many different forms, such as dots, stripes, polka dots, chevrons, and more. Try mixing and matching patterns to see what looks good.

3. Create A Custom Cover.

You might already have a cover for your journal, but if you haven’t, now’s the time to make one. This could be something simple, like a sticker, or something fancier, like a piece of felt or embroidery floss. Whatever you choose, just remember that it needs to coordinate well with the rest of your journal.

4. Personalize The Title Page.

The title page is usually blank, so you can do anything you’d like on it. It’s a great place to write down important information about yourself (like your name, address, phone number, email address, website, etc.), or to include pictures of family members or pets.

5. Make An Artistic Layout.

You don’t need to be an artist to create a beautiful layout. All you need is a bit of creativity and patience. Start by drawing a rough sketch of what you want your layout to look like. Then, cut out all of the pieces and arrange them according to your design. Once everything is arranged, glue or tape each piece into its proper spot.

6. Include Special Memories.

One of the best ways to personalize your junk journal is to include special memories. Whether it’s photos, drawings, quotes, or other memorabilia, these items will help bring your journal to life.

7. Add Some Decorations.

There are plenty of decorations available online, which makes this step super easy. Just search “junk journal embellishments” and you’ll find hundreds of options.   

How to make a Junk Journal From Scratch: Types of Junk Journal Embellishments

There are many different kinds of junk journal embellishments out there. Some people use them to make their journals look nicer; others use them because it makes them feel better about themselves. Whatever the reason, you might want to know how to spot some of the most common ones.  

Some intended uses (travel journal or planner, for example) may benefit from a little more thought during the layout and assembly processes.

1. Tags

Tags are a simple and versatile bookmarking tool that allow you to organize your thoughts and ideas into neat little categories. You can use them to mark off topics, dates, events, people, places, books, articles, and even projects.

2. Pockets

Junk Journals are one of my favorite things about making books. They’re super easy to use, and you can really customize them to fit whatever purpose you want. 

3. Tuck Spots

Tuck spots are useful for holding things in place without having to glue them down. You might use one to hold a small piece of paper inside a notebook, or to keep a receipt tucked away safely.  

4. Snippets

A snippet is exactly what it sound like, a small decorative component usually combined with other components resulting in one cool looking embellishment for your junk book.  

5. Journaling Spots

Aside from blank spaces on junk journals, lots of embellishations can serve as places to jot down thoughts and ideas. These include the fronts and backs of bookmarks, tag rings, pockets, and even belly bands.  

How to make a Junk Journal From Scratch

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Searching Michaels Bullet Journal?

The Artist’s Loft Dot Grid is a dot grid journal that I’ve been wanting to try since it came out. As soon as I saw the price tag, I knew I had to pick one up. And now I’m obsessed.

I love how easy it is to use. You just write down what you want to do next on the left side of each day. Then, you add little dots to represent each task. This makes it super simple to track everything.

There are different sizes of notebooks too. They range from 5×7 inches to 8×11 inches. I bought the 7×10 inch size because I wanted something smaller. But I really like having the extra room.

Another thing I love about the dot grid is that there are no lines. There are no rules. So, you don’t feel restricted when writing. Plus, you can make the dots however big you’d like.

You can even customize the colors of the dots. For example, I chose black dots for work tasks and white dots for personal tasks.

While I’m not able to list every single product out there, here are some of the most popular products out there.

And finally, the dot grid is great for planning. Because you can write down anything on the left side of the page, you can easily plan things without worrying about forgetting.

If you’re looking for a dot grid journal, I highly recommend getting the Artist’s Loft DotGrid. Here are some additional resources to help you decide whether this dot grid journal is right for you.

They write well on smooth paper, like in a notebook, but aren’t as good on textured paper, such as watercolor paper.

Buy Michaels Bullet Journal: Pros

The Obvious Price Factor: This notebook is cheap. You’re getting a lot of value for your money.

Search for dot grid notebooks on amazon, and you’ll see that most of the hardcovers with over 200 pages are priced at least $15. I’m sure there are some great deals out there, but I didn’t want to spend much more than $10.

But the Artist’s Loft Dot Gridded Journal is only $5, and it’s hardcover.

I’ve been looking for a good deal on a hardcover notebook for a while now, and I finally found one.

Beautifully Designed: This notebook looks like something you’d pay hundreds of dollars for.

It’s got a beautiful design, and it feels high quality.

It comes with a hard cover and elastic closure, 249 pages and two ribbon bookmarks, and it’s only $5.

Buy Michaels Bullet Journal: Cons

of Using Colored Pencils & Markers

I’ve been using colored pencils since I was about 8 years old. My mom got me into it because she wanted me to draw better. She had no idea how much fun it could be to just play around with different colors and see what happens.

The best part about coloring in pencils is that you can change the color easily without having to worry about smudging. You can erase mistakes quickly and easily. And, there are no sharp edges like there are with markers.

But, here are some things to consider before you start drawing with colored pencils.

1. If you’re looking for a true black, look for a matte finish. Matte finishes don’t smear as easily as glossy ones do.

2. Don’t use too many colors at once. Try mixing one color with another. For example, mix red with yellow to make orange. Or, try mixing blue with green to make purple.

3. Use a light hand. Too much pressure and the pencil won’t blend well.

4. Be patient. Drawing with pencils takes practice.

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